Pierce Twp. candidates look at revenue options

Oct. 28, 2013

Freeman

Batchler

Pautke

The trustee position is a four-year term, and it pays $1,714 per month. There are three people on the township’s board of trustees. Two seats are up for election Nov. 5.

Bonnie Batchler

She is a retired senior credit analyst for Senco Products and the only incumbent in the race. Batchler was first elected in 1999.

Should the township form a community improvement corporation?

She is neither for nor against the idea. It would give the township flexibility with buying or selling land, but she wants to gather more information. Pierce could partner with an established CIC, but Batchler is wary of “someone else overseeing our money.”

How can the township replace the revenue it will lose when the Beckjord power plant closes?

It’s going to take time, and “it’s going to be all of us working together.” She suggested staying in touch with Duke Energy to help with any potential development plan and working with the county Chamber of Commerce to attract new businesses to the state Route 125 corridor.

What are your priorities, if elected?

Increase the focus for township fiscal responsibility; promote a collaborative community and leadership environment; channel energies to ensure adequate funding and staffing of all departments; advocate for prudent long-term planning to improve services; continue to acquire land for parks and greenspace.

Allen Freeman

He has his own consulting business that helps with economic development, public relations and public financial planning.

Should the township form a community improvement corporation?

These work well in some communities, but can put scarce resources at risk by making real estate decisions separate from elected officials. He said right now “it’s a dangerous, risky approach to take toward economic development.”

How can the township replace the revenue it will lose when the Beckjord power plant closes?

He suggested discovering potential regulatory issues for future site development and creating an “economic triage … so we can start to find solutions and perhaps find a new life for that plant.” The township also should identify growth opportunities and look at different revenue options to help offset losses.

Bob Pautke

He retired from AT&T and now has his own leadership consulting business.

Should the township form a community improvement corporation?

He’d like to explore all the options and thinks it has potential. It would provide more flexibility and a quicker turnaround for time-sensitive real estate deals than the typical governmental process, but that is also a drawback. “Maybe the government should be taking a slower pace at spending our money.”

How can the township replace the revenue it will lose when the Beckjord power plant closes?

There is not enough sufficient budget trimming to cover the shortfall and more residential development wouldn’t generate enough tax money. He suggested finding commercial opportunities all around the township and bringing light manufacturing, health care facilities, entertainment and recreation businesses to the community.

What are your priorities, if elected?

Making Pierce Township a premier place to live, work and play; creating a land use plan that protects and grows quality and tax base; leverage intellectual capital by engaging citizens; and collaborate with surrounding communities